Gas pipeline between Lithuania and Latvia is damaged in an explosion, and a nearby village is evacuated.

According to the nation’s gas transmission provider Amber Grid, the explosion took place in northern Lithuania’s Panevezys county.

According to Lithuanian broadcaster LRT, the 250-person settlement of Valakeliai was being evacuated out of caution.

According to Nemunas Biknius, general director of Amber Grid, there were no injuries or property damages as a result of the explosion, and a cause-and-effect inquiry will be started.

“Fortunately, no one was hurt during this event, and we will immediately begin an inquiry into what transpired.

“At this time, there is no evidence to suggest that it was intentional, but the investigation will provide further information,” he said.

According to the Baltic News Service, Latvia’s energy minister Raimonds Cudars was notified that the explosion was the result of a technological error.

According to LRT, flames reached 165 feet (50 meters) into the air and could be seen at least 11 miles (17 kilometers) away.

Firefighters had to wait before attacking the flames, but they have since been extinguished.

“The gas pipeline’s valves were strengthened following the event. No negative consequences are visible on the gas pipeline, “In an earlier statement, Mr. Biknius added.

The CEO of the Lithuanian pipeline grid operator said that after being momentarily interrupted, gas flow to Latvia has now resumed.

Gintautas Geguzinskas, the mayor of the Pasvalys district, stated to LRT: “Regarding the explosion’s cause, we know nothing.

“I spoke with a few individuals that were in the area. They claimed to have observed some activity earlier today close to the pipeline where the explosion occurred. I am unable to check whether this is accurate.”

Initial data suggests that the explosion happened in one of the two parallel pipelines that make up the area’s gas transportation infrastructure.

The other pipeline wasn’t harmed at all.

Gas is provided to customers in the Pasvalys neighborhood via the nearby pipeline.

There are around 6,500 people living in the area.

Dominic Waghorn of Sky said: “The pipeline was ignited and sufficiently exploded by some sort of gadget or tragic accident to allow enough gas to escape to result in this type of explosion.

“As a result of the conflict in Ukraine, as well as in some regions of Russia, we have witnessed attacks on civilian energy infrastructure.

Whether the pipeline in Lithuania is connected to the conflict or not is unclear, but it is evident that this is not a typical pipeline occurrence without some conceivably malevolent or criminal reason.